iOS 26 brings compact call screens, real-time widgets, and total climate control—all without touching your iPhone.
After more than a decade on the digital dashboard, Apple CarPlay is finally getting a facelift—and not a moment too soon. iOS 26 is rolling out a series of updates that are meant to make driving with an iPhone easier, more personalized, and, frankly, less irritating.
The headline change? Incoming calls no longer hijack the entire screen. But that’s just the beginning.
Calls No Longer Crash Your Navigation—Finally
For anyone who’s ever tried to follow directions while Aunt Lisa’s call takes over the entire screen, this update is a relief.
Apple’s new compact call interface in iOS 26 makes it so navigation remains front and center. No more frantic swiping to get back to Maps. You’ll still see who’s calling, but now you won’t lose sight of where you’re headed.
It’s a small tweak that feels long overdue. Drivers have been grumbling about this for years. Apple finally listened.
Just one sentence: Honestly, it’s about time.
CarPlay Gets a Total Visual Overhaul
Visually, CarPlay in iOS 26 looks way more modern.
Everything from app icons to maps now comes in both light and dark modes. Apple’s also tossing in widgets—little info tiles that sit on the sides of the screen and update in real time. Think: your next calendar appointment, smart home status, or flight info at a glance.
The new layout is meant to be more “glanceable,” Apple says. That means less tapping, more seeing.
Three things worth noting here:
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The interface is now customizable depending on the vehicle make.
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Automakers can bring their own branding into the CarPlay display.
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New layouts better utilize all screen sizes, from motorcycles to SUVs.
And yes, you can now send emoji reactions directly from the display. No need to touch your phone. Cute? Yes. Useful? Arguably.
Car Controls, Now Baked Into CarPlay
You’re not just limited to music and directions anymore.
iOS 26 folds in direct vehicle controls—stuff like adjusting the AC, changing radio stations, and even seat ventilation. It all lives inside CarPlay, meaning fewer menus on your native car system and more uniformity across different car brands.
This new setup arrives alongside CarPlay Ultra, which Apple quietly launched a month ago. That version allows automakers to integrate CarPlay into all of the car’s digital screens—not just the center console.
Here’s what Apple says drivers can now do inside CarPlay:
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Adjust cabin temperature
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Control fans and defrosters
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Tune in to AM/FM or satellite radio
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View fuel or EV battery stats
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Monitor tire pressure (if supported by car)
It’s not full-blown iOS in the dashboard, but it’s closer than ever.
Just How Big Is CarPlay in 2025?
CarPlay isn’t niche anymore. Apple says the system is now used over 600 million times a day. That’s staggering.
It’s supported by more than 800 different models, from compact hatchbacks to luxury sedans. And thanks to CarPlay Ultra, premium brands now have even more incentive to integrate Apple’s system across their entire fleet.
Let’s break that down:
| Category | Number/Details |
|---|---|
| Daily Usage | 600 million+ sessions |
| Supported Car Models | 800+ globally |
| Years Since Launch | 11 (launched in 2014) |
| Latest Update | iOS 26 announced June 9, 2025 |
| New Key Features | Compact calls, widgets, radio & AC control |
| Custom Automaker Integration | Via CarPlay Ultra |
That’s not just impressive—it’s Apple-level scale.
A Tighter iPhone-Car Ecosystem
What stands out most about this iOS 26 refresh is how well it knits your digital life together.
CarPlay now surfaces pinned conversations in Messages, supports tapbacks (those quick emoji replies), and offers widgets for calendar events—all while you’re still driving. Apple’s betting big on “just enough information”—not too much, but just enough to keep you in the loop.
One sentence here: It’s your iPhone on wheels—only safer.
Drivers can now also manage smart home devices directly from CarPlay. So yes, you can open your garage before you even turn onto your street.
Automakers Still Get a Say—Sort Of
While Apple’s system continues to take over more dashboard real estate, car manufacturers haven’t been completely sidelined.
With CarPlay Ultra, brands can now integrate real-time gauges, speedometers, and EV range displays into the Apple-powered interface. That means fewer jarring transitions between the car’s native UI and CarPlay itself.
Still, not every automaker is on board. Some brands—especially those investing in their own operating systems—are reluctant to hand over the keys.
But with usage numbers like these, resisting Apple is getting harder.
